180-day Special Time Charter w/ One 180-day Option

Sources Sought Notice

This notice is a market research request from the Military Sealift Command (MSC) Strategic Sealift Program Office. It seeks information regarding the availability and pricing of specialized vessels for a potential 180-day special time charter, with an option for an additional 180 days. The information gathered will help develop future requirements.

• Vessel Type: Four (4) to six (6) U.S. or foreign-flagged, Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) bow ramp equipped "landing craft like" vessels.

• Capacity: Each vessel must transport a minimum of 2,100 square feet, with a combined capacity of at least 12,600 square feet across the four available vessels at any given time.

• Cargo: Capable of transporting rolling stock, general cargo, sensitive items (e.g., ammunition with hazard classification up to 1.1J), weapons, and communication equipment.

• Delivery/Redelivery Port: NAHA, JAPAN.

• Charter Period: One 180-day base period and one 180-day option period.

• Layday: Commencing 0800 on 26 May 2026; cancelling 29 May 2026.

• Special Requirements: Vessels must be beachable with a bow ramp deployable to piers, floating barges, or unimproved shorelines, capable of repeated beaching/unbeaching. They must carry 350-450 short tons in a single lift, including heavy tracked vehicles, ISO containers, breakbulk, and bulk liquids. The cargo deck must be adaptable for mission-specific loads. Vessels require an unrefueled range of at least 5,000 nautical miles, twenty (20) days self-sustained endurance, and the ability to transit open ocean in up to Sea State 4. Propulsion must be configured for beaching operations. Cargo stowage areas need unimpeded overhead access for lift-on/lift-off crane operations. Berthing, messing, and sanitation facilities must support a minimum of two embarked sponsor personnel according to IACS guidelines. Vessels must meet USCG or equivalent IACS construction and maintenance standards, comply with SOLAS/IMO conventions, and integrate sponsor communications and logistics IT systems (VSAT, NEXUSWAVE, or STARLINK) with onboard IT providing 24/7 service and robust speeds.

• Interested parties are requested to provide specific information detailed in paragraph 8 of the notice.

• Responses are requested via email to MATTHEW.R.PRICE40.CIV@US.NAVY.MIL.

• Deadline: Not later than 04 February 2026 at 11:00 PM Eastern Time.

• The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 483111, with a small business size standard of 1,050 employees. Businesses should indicate if they are a small business concern.

• Large businesses are requested to provide details regarding possible sub-contracting opportunities.

• This is a request for information only and not an offer.

• The government will not pay for costs incurred in preparing or submitting responses.

• Point of Contact: Matthew Price.

Amendment / Modification

• Amendment 0001 modifies the Sources Sought Notice N32205-SS-PM4-26-023 dated November 24, 2025.

• Specifically, Paragraph 2 of the original notice is amended to remove the request for price and availability for JONES ACT capable vessels.

• Paragraph 2 of the Sources Sought Notice (Ref A).

• The removal of the request for price and availability for JONES ACT capable vessels may impact vendor responses. All other paragraphs of the original Sources Sought Notice remain unchanged.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Sources Sought Notice (SSN) for market research regarding a 180-day special time charter with a 180-day option for Roll-On/Roll-Off (RO/RO) vessels. The Military Sealift Command (MSC) is seeking information on the price and availability of up to six U.S. or foreign flag vessels, or Jones Act capable vessels, that meet specific requirements. This information will help MSC develop future requirements.

• Vessels must be RO/RO bow ramp equipped, beachable (piers, floating barges, unimproved shorelines), and capable of repeated beaching/unbeaching.

• Capacity to carry 350-450 short tons in a single lift, including heavy tracked vehicles, ISO containers, breakbulk, and bulk liquids.

• Modular cargo deck adaptable for mission-specific loads.

• Unrefueled range of at least 5,000 nautical miles and 20 days self-sustained endurance.

• Capable of transiting up to Sea State 4 with a laden draft of nine feet or less.

• Must have a bow thruster for maneuvering.

• Provide berthing, messing, and sanitation facilities for a minimum of two embarked sponsor personnel.

• Meet USCG or equivalent IACS construction and maintenance standards, comply with SOLAS/IMO conventions.

• Capable of integrating sponsor communications and logistics IT systems (VSAT, NexusWave, Starlink) with 24/7 service and robust upload/download speeds.

• Cargo specifics include rolling stock and general cargo, sensitive items like ammunition (hazard classification up to 1.1J), weapons, and communication equipment.

• Charter Period: (1) 180-day base period and (1) 180-day option period.

• Delivery Port: NAHA, JAPAN

• Redelivery Port(s): NAHA, JAPAN

• Layday(s): Commencing 0800 on 01 March 2026; Cancelling: 05 March 2026.

• Interested parties are requested to provide specific information including vessel description, photos, specification sheets, breakover angles, supercargo accommodation confirmation, internet configuration details, daily charter rate, earliest availability, fuel consumption rate, and company information (name, cage code, small business standing, UEI).

• Responses are requested via email no later than 08 December 2025 at 11:00 PM Eastern Time.

• The Small Business size standard for this service (NAICS 483111) is 1,050 employees. Businesses should indicate if they are a small business concern.

• Large businesses are requested to provide details regarding possible subcontracting opportunities.

• This is a Request for Information only; responses are not considered an offer.

• The government will not pay for costs incurred in preparing or submitting responses.

• Point of Contact: Matthew Price, MATTHEW.R.PRICE40.CIV@US.NAVY.MIL